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Who is Alex Perdikis?

Whether it’s helping you find the perfect car, offering free service to furloughed employees, or sponsoring the 2015 Generation Adidas Bethesda Premier Cup, Alex Perdikis and the folks at Koons Silver Spring Ford put their whole hearts and minds into it. Enthusiasm, leadership and a cohesive team combine to provide customers with a world-class experience.

Powerful Leadership

Not everyone can or even wants to be a leader. Alex Perdikis is one of those individuals who knew exactly what he wanted at a young age. He began earning money by washing cars and mowing lawns in his neighborhood, helped his parents with their business and majored in business in college. Each summer spent washing cars at a nearby dealership drew him into the world of automobiles. Perdikis’ education and skills acquired as a college football player became a perfect match for a career in the automotive industry.

Perdikis spent his summers away from college working as a lot porter, car detailer and service assistant and quickly learned the automotive business inside and out. He graduated from the University of Richmond in 1997 and began his career in the Accounting department at Koons Lincoln/Mercury Volvo. He soon became part of the sales team at Koons of Tysons Corner, where he became the top volume salesperson within three months of his arrival. Since then, Perdikis has served in varying capacities within the Jim Koons Automotive Company, including Executive Vice President, General Manager and eventually Partner. He continues to preside as Partner and General Manager of Koons of Silver Spring today.

To be successful, one needs outstanding leadership skills and the ability to bring people together in order to work towards a common goal. Under the leadership of Alex Perdikis, Koons Automotive has achieved a host of notable milestones. Koons of Tysons Corner became the highest volume Chevrolet and Chrysler store in the mid-Atlantic region with sales of over $150 million annually. The dealership has since received the Jack Smith Leadership Award and the General Motors Mark of Excellence Award. Throughout each year of Perdikis’ tenure, Koons of Tysons Corner has won the GMAC Deal of the Year Award. Additionally, Perdikis successfully grew Koons Tyson Toyota into an award-winning dealership with a certified used car department that consistently ranks in the top 10 in the country. The dealership also ranked as high as eighth in the country in total new car sales.

Koons of Silver Spring was founded in 2010. The retail automotive business sells and services new Fords, Lincolns and Mazdas and maintains a large inventory of pre-owned vehicles. As General Manager, Perdikis spearheaded a growth initiative in business since 2010. Always eager to grow, Perdikis sees tremendous potential ahead. He is dedicated to making Koons of Silver Spring the biggest dealership in the Washington, D.C. market area. With the company’s laser-sharp focus on providing unmatched customer service, Perdikis’ goal is far from out of reach.

By Alex Perdikis

You probably think of your car as a way to get around and do what you have to do. You use it to get groceries, go to work, chauffeur the children and take an occasional road trip now and then.

But, did you know you can use your car to help people and nonprofit organizations in your community? In fact, it doesn’t matter if you only have a couple of hours a week or a lot of time on your hands, you can find a way to use your driving skills and car to help others.

1. Driving seniors. A lot of people who were self-sufficient for years find themselves unable to drive as they age. Poorer eyesight, loss of coordination, slower reflexes and other health issues often reduce a senior’s ability to drive safely. But, seniors still need to get to doctor’s appointment, pick up medications and buy groceries.

2. Running errands for those in need. Picking up medications, doing the grocery shopping and mailing packages at the post office is difficult for many seniors and disabled persons. You can help by doing the running around for them.

3. Assist animal rescue organizations with transport. Pet rescue organizations often find themselves in need of help to transport pets from one location to another.

“Sometimes the transport involves long-distances, typically transporting cats and dogs from an overcrowded shelter in one location to another with more room many miles away.” — Alex Perdikis

Usually, volunteer drivers take one leg of the journey and transfer pets to another volunteer until the pets reach journey’s end.

Shelters often need shorter transportation help as well, such as transporting a pet to a veterinarian and back.

4. Donate your car to charity. Perhaps you bought a new car and don’t need the old one, or you inherited a relative’s car you don’t really need. Of course, donating is not exactly a selfless act because you receive a tax benefit from the donation. And, there are other red flags to consider when it comes to donating your car to a charitable organization.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. Done the right way, a car donation is a win-win. Before you donate your car, however, follow these steps to make sure you maximize your benefits to the charity and cover yourself in the process.

Check that the charity is an accepted IRS qualified nonprofit. Your donation is not tax-deductible if it isn’t.

Research the charity’s efficiency rank with Charity Navigator or Charity Watch. Make sure the bulk of donations go to the cause and not into administrative costs.

Deliver the car to the charity yourself without using a third party.

Keep your receipt.

Make sure you file the correct forms with the IRS when you file your taxes.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to volunteering, check with local organizations to see how you can help. Local senior centers and county offices may already have programs set up you can become a part of. Even if you have just a couple of hours on the weekend, you can use your car to help others right in your own community.

Alex Perdikis, Koons of Silver Spring general manager and owner, lives in Chevy Chase with his wife and daughters.

By Alex Perdikis

In the old days, backyard mechanics could do most car maintenance and repair jobs themselves. Modern cars come equipped with computers and often require diagnostic tools only available to manufacturers and certified repair shops.

But, if you keep your car in top running shape, you can avoid many of those costly repair jobs down the line. Follow these DIY car maintenance tips to keep your car running smoothly and save yourself a little money, too.

1. Change your air filter. A dirty air filter makes your car’s engine work harder and uses a whole lot more gas. A general timeframe for an air filter change is every year or 12,000 miles, but check your owner’s manual and follow its recommendations.

You’ll see a huge difference in performance and gas efficiency with a clean air filter.

2. Change your oil and oil filter. If this one sounds a bit daunting, it’s OK to take your car to a service and pay someone to do it. But, changing the oil in your car isn’t really difficult if you know how and have the required tools and space. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended oil change timetable and type of oil required for your vehicle. Most manufacturers recommend changing your oil every 3,000 miles. You’ll need a place to work on your car, a car jack, ratchet, oil pan, funnel, new oil, new filter replacement and work clothes. Wait at least two hours after running your car before attempting to change the oil to avoid burns from a hot engine.

3. Replace your windshield wipers. Replacing your wiper blades is an easy repair to do, and it just might save your life. Change the blades every six months to a year or anytime you notice a degraded performance. Depending on the type, you might need a screwdriver to replace your wiper blades, or your hands may suffice. Directions are typically included with newly purchased sets.

4. Change your spark plugs. Replacing old spark plugs with new give you better fuel efficiency and a smoother ride. Replace your spark plugs after 30,000 miles or as recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. Changing the plugs is not difficult, but you’ll need to follow a specific order, replacing a single spark plug at a time.

5. Replace the brake pads. This is another maintenance job that could save your life. Replace brake pads every 20,000 miles or as recommended in the owner’s manual. Consider replacing them sooner if most of your driving is stop-and-go. You’ll need a place to jack up your car and lug wrench, Allen wrenches, a hammer, c-clap and possibly other tools depending on your car. If you’re at all unsure about this one, leave it to the pros.

6. Flush your radiator. Deposit buildup in the radiator reduces a cooling system’s efficiency. Make sure the engine is cool before attempting this maintenance job. You’ll need rags, a wrench, screwdriver, coolant receptacle and new coolant. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual.

Even if you do just one or two of these car maintenance jobs yourself, you’ll save a few bucks now and perhaps a major repair or two in the future.

Alex Perdikis, Koons of Silver Spring general manager and owner, lives in Chevy Chase with his wife and daughters.

By Alex Perdikis

Communication is one of the keys to a fulfilling life. The lack of communication and the ensuing misunderstandings cause a tremendous amount of strife both at work and at home. Communication skills come naturally to some people, but others struggle with finding the right words and articulating their thoughts.

If you struggle with turning your thoughts into words, you’re not alone. But, you can learn to communicate effectively and in a positive way that brings out the best in others. Follow these tips to learn how to communicate better in every aspect of your life.

1. Listen to others. The most important skill a great communicator has is not a way with words, but the ability to listen. To listen doesn’t mean you’re thinking about what you want to say as soon as the person you’re talking to takes a breath. It means letting the speaker finish and understanding what the speaker said.

“It’s OK to say nothing while you take a few moments to think. If you don’t understand something, ask.” — Alex Perdikis

If you’re not sure you understood, repeat in your own words what you heard and ask for verification. At this point, it doesn’t matter if you agree or disagree. Understanding the other person is the first step to opening the doors of communication.

2. Learn to read people. Words aren’t the only form of communication. Pay close attention to the body language and overall demeanor of the speaker. If someone says they’re fine as they nervously tap their pencil on the table, they probably are not fine. They could be nervous or upset, but it’s likely they’re troubled about something. Learn to see the person as a whole and learn to read signs beyond the spoken word.

3. Observe how others communicate. You’ve known some great communicators. They’re the people who know how to say it, when to say it, when to listen and how to respond. Observe how those great communicators handle different situations and learn from them.

4. Heed the “silence is golden” rule. Communication doesn’t mean there has to be a constant barrage of back and forth chatter. Moments of silence during a conversation give participants time to reflect on and absorb what’s been said and serve to calm if the exchange became heated.

5. Find common ground. If a conversation becomes heated, diffuse the situation by agreeing with an aspect of what the other person said, if possible. At the very least, let them know you understand they’re upset and open to discussing possibilities.

6. Genuinely care about others. If your co-workers and staff know you genuinely care about them as people, you’ll find the lines of communication open wider. Honor the feelings of those around you and treat them with respect.

7. Take deep breaths before responding to an upsetting email or text message. Written communication is often much trickier than face-to-face communication. When you speak with a person in front of you, you have the added benefit of hearing the tone of voice, seeing the expression and observing the body language. You have none of those advantages with email or text messages.

Before you respond to what appears to be an upsetting email or text message, take a few deep breaths. Is it possible you misread the meaning behind the message? Don’t shoot off a response immediately. Once it’s gone, you can’t take it back.

Alex Perdikis, Koons of Silver Spring general manager and owner, lives in Chevy Chase with his wife and daughters.